Category: Emerging Infectious Diseases
A Veterinarian Who Specializes in Dairy Cows Talks About Avian Influenza
Tufts University How the H5N1 virus is affecting the nation’s cattle, according to an expert at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. In March 2024, for the first time in the United States, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus was recognized as having crossed over from birds into cattle. Experts believe the virus was transmitted […]
Feb 26, 2025
Women have a higher risk for long covid. Estrogen may play a role.
Washington Post A new study shows non-menopausal women between the ages of 40 and 54 had a significantly higher risk of developing long covid than men. Women have a higher risk of developing long covid than men, depending on their stage of life and whether they have experienced menopause, according to a new nationwide study from RECOVER, […]
Feb 26, 2025
USDA Invests Up To $1 Billion to Combat Avian Flu and Reduce Egg Prices
USDA Secretary Rollins rolls out a robust strategy to deliver affordable eggs Washington, D.C., Feb. 26, 2025—U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced a $1 billion-dollar comprehensive strategy to curb highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), protect the U.S. poultry industry, and lower egg prices. This is in addition to funding already being provided to […]
Feb 26, 2025
What You Need to Know About H5N1 Bird Flu and Everyday Precautions
NY Academy of Sciences The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, commonly known as bird flu, is making headlines and leaving its mark on grocery shelves. Just last week, I visited two supermarkets, both completely sold out of eggs. Over at a corner bodega in NYC, a dozen eggs were going for a jaw-dropping […]
Feb 26, 2025
Texas Measles Outbreak: Update
Texas DoH The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting an outbreak of measles in the South Plains region of Texas. At this time, 124 cases have been identified since late January. Eighteen of the patients have been hospitalized. Five of the cases are vaccinated. The rest are unvaccinated, or their vaccination status is […]
Feb 26, 2025
Two clusters of unknown illness cases kill 50 in Democratic Republic of Congo
NBC News “The outbreaks, which have seen cases rise rapidly within days, pose a significant public health threat. The exact cause remains unknown,” a World Health Organization spokesperson said. More than 50 people have died in recent weeks in two clusters of illness cases with the unknown cause being investigated in northwest Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organization […]
Feb 26, 2025
Bird Flu’s Spread Among Dairy Cows Appears to Be Picking Up Its Pace
Discover The first case of bird flu in cattle was reported on March 25, 2024. In less than a year, the virus has hit 973 herds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) first issued an order to test cows that farmers intended to move between […]
Feb 26, 2025
Indiana: Bird flu claims over 100 sandhill cranes in LaPorte County, 1500 statewide
WSBT Bird flu has struck Fish Lake, as hundreds of birds, including a significant number of sandhill cranes, have dropped dead. Now the community is working to dispose of the carcasses. According to the DNR, nearly 1500 sandhill cranes have died in Indiana so far in Green County, Union County, Jasper County, La Porte County, […]
Feb 26, 2025
Killing 166 million birds hasn’t helped poultry farmers stop H5N1. Is there a better way?
Los Angeles Times When the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus made its first appearance at a U.S. poultry farm in February 2022, roughly 29,000 turkeys at an Indiana facility were sacrificed in an attempt to avert a larger outbreak. It didn’t work. Three years later, highly pathogenic avian influenza has spread to all 50 states. The number of commercial […]
Feb 26, 2025
Soil bacteria outbreak kills 14 in Australian flood-hit state
Medical Xpress Melioidosis, a rare antibiotic-resistant disease caused by bacteria found in soil or mud, often surfaces in tropical areas after heavy rain or flooding. While cases have occurred in Queensland in previous years, the state’s Tropical Public Health Services director Jacqueline Murdoch said 2025 “absolutely is a record-breaking year.” “Certainly we haven’t seen anything like this,” […]
Feb 26, 2025